The Johnstone Galleries

From 1950-72 The Johnstone Gallery operated in Brisbane, a pivotal time in Australia for the development of an a contemporary art audience and through the years it represented the leading Australian artists of the time including Sidney Nolan, Charles Blackman, Margaret Olley, Arthur Boyd, Ray Crooke and Donald Friend.

Operated by Brian and Marjorie Johnstone, their first gallery, the Marodian Art Gallery, opened in Brisbane's Upper Edward Street in December 1950. In February 1952 the Johnstones relaunched the gallery under their own name in the basement of the Brisbane Arcade. Their final location from 1958 was at their home in Cintra Road, Bowen Hills.

The forces behind the galleries, Brian and Marjorie Johnstone were leading lights in Brisbane’s theatrical and social scene and renowned for their friendliness, warmth, exacting taste and brilliant exhibition openings.

The Johnstone Gallery was a focal point of artistic and social life in Brisbane and when it eventually closed in 1972, there was a very real sense that this was the end of an era. The final exhibition was of sculpture by Leonard and Kathleen Shillam.

After the galleries had permanently closed Marjorie bequeathed the records of the gallery to State Library of Queensland where they remain priceless resources of Queensland art.